You stand up, offering your hand to Katya, who takes it and slips her arm back through yours. Rosalie, seeing this, smiles lightly, and mirrors it with Jean-luc, who's probably slightly more used to this kind of thing. Slightly.

The first person she finds is an older-looking general in the uniform of the ADA with a witch who looks to maybe be about your age- which honestly puts her anywhere between twenty four and forty- chatting away with an army general with no such escort- which makes you wonder where his is.

She walks up, joining the group and dragging Jean-luc reluctantly along. “General Cloutier, it's good to see you again.”

The French general looks over and smiles- the witch's expression doesn't change. “Rosalie! Ah, it's good to see you. Is your mother well?”

Rosalie nods, returning the general's hug. “She and papa are fine, yes. They say the bahamas are lovely this time of year.”

He smiles. “Ah, I wish we could have joined them. Rosalie, you know Astrid?” He indicates the witch to his side.

>>34427234>And so, as his reputation grew amongst his allies and his terror struck the hearts of his enemies, noble Sir Bishop became known as Frank Bishop the White, Lord Guardian Protector of Witches, First and Only Lord of Tannana, Scourge of Berlin and the Baltics, Knight to the Tsarina Tabatha Kazinsky...

>>34427458>"When history witnesses a great change, Razgriz reveals itself; first as a dark demon. As a demon, it uses its power to rain death upon the land, and then it dies. However, after a period of slumber, Razgriz returns..."

“Damn straight, son.” The American general growls, causing you to turn. You return his offered handshake. “General Crozier, seventy ninth infantry division.”

“Sir.” You say.

“That was a hell of a thing you pulled, son. What happened up there?” He asks, and general Cloutier nods, agreeing with the question.

You shrug lightly, so as to not distrub Katya's arm. “Just doing my job, General.”

the general barks a harsh, short laugh- drawing some looks. “HA!. Good one, son. But what happened? We saw it plain as day from the Divisional CP- one minute, there's three red dreads heading right towards us and we're trying to coordinate every patriot battery we've got to engage them, then bam!” He slams one fist into the palm of his hand. “There's one dread going down, one limping home, and another running with it's tail tucked between it's legs!”

“Not to mention the Russian fighters.” General Cloutier adds. “I lost nearly twenty mirages and twelve pilots in that fight. How is it you are able to attack them when they're so many in number and emerge unscathed?”

The general reaches out, taking your hand and shaking it again, wrapping it in both of his own. “That was damn fine work, son. Damn fine. You're why I'm here today, me and my boys. If you hadn'ta done... that, they'da been all over us, we'd have never made it out. You should get the damn Medal of honor for that one, son.”

You shrug. “They tell me I was up for it, but because I was acting against direct orders, it's ineligible.”

“Ain't that a bitch, son. I tell ya what, though, you always got a place to stay with the seven-nine. And you'll get one for Berlin, mark my damn words.” He says, then shifts his gaze past you. “Oop, 'scuse me, son, one of my old schoolmates just came in.” He walks past you, already calling “Henry! Henry you bastard! Ahhahaha! What the devil you doin here!?”

Your group watches him go. “He seems-“ You start.

“Very American.” Katya supplies, cutting you off.

You laugh. “Yeah, I guess so. Loud, for damn sure.”

She shrugs. “Like I said, American.”

The rest of them laugh briefly at the look on your face, then the general looks past Rosalie. “Ah, good. I hate to be leaving you, but I too, must go discuss matters with an old friend. Astrid?”

The witch nods, having been silent the entire time and seems to glide away with the general.

Rosalie smiles, watching them go. “Well, Katya, Frank, I will show you around some more, then I must be leaving. I need to be in Germany tomorrow morning, and don't wish to have no sleep when I arrive.”

You both laugh and follow her as she points out various people- witches, a few more generals- you nervously note some heads in a group with General Crozier turn your way, but none of the men leave their group. Even so, you can imagine the conversation going on over there.

As you return move to return to your seat, you're interrupted by a small gaggle of witches, each with an escort- some of them rank you, some of them don't. Katya pulls you in somewhat tighter- almost like she's claiming ownership. Bit soon for that, you think.

“So, Rosalie, is it true? This is the White Rose of Bagram and The Eagle?” One of them asks.

Rosalie looks back at you.

[] Sorry, we just look like them. [] Well, I'm the guy they call the eagle, yeah. [] That's us.

>>34428266"Psychological operations (PSYOP) or, as it has been known since 2010, Military Information Support Operations (MISO) are planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals."

Nah, constrictors are made for deathly, close, intimate hugs that suck the life out of you. Their hugs wrap around your entire being for that one last embrace that you will never leave. Not that you'd ever want to.

Oh, then sure. Witch with a black bear familiar would have a sensitive stubby tail, serving as a sort of panic button when she embraces you too hard. A shepherd witch's hugs would be enthusiastic and sloppy, making up for the lack of strength.

You shake your head. “Sorry, we just look like them. Get it all the time, though.”

The witch looks at you with closer scrutiny- and at your name plate. “Trying to avoid the press, Mister Bishop?” She asks. Damn.

You nod. “Exactly, miss...?”

“Wolff.” She says. “USMC.”

You should have recognized the Marine dress blues- though the witch's dress skirt is probably a bit shorter than regulation, stopping well above her knee. Like, a good four or five inches above her knee.”

“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Wolff.” You say, nodding. “But we were just getting ready to sit back down, and-”

“So how did you do it?” She asks- clearly having taken charge of this little group. “There's no way a man should have been able to do what you've been doing.”

“I suspect, when they figure it out, the matrons from Castle Barin will publish it.” You say, somewhat testily.

Couple things: no. I have not forgotten about Konstantina and Natalya being in Paris. Yes, we will run into them.

Second: I *may* have to skip next week, I'm not sure yet. It's related to a friend of mine, she's kinda in a bad way. I'm going to try and go see her, see if I can't cheer her up a bit, over the weekend, but if I do that means next week may be out.

Third: sorry for the long run tonight, fellas. Got kiiiind of carried away trying to hunt down suitable pictures for Katya's dress. I was unsuccessful. I'm gonna see if I can't scare up a drawfag to handle it, I hear decu's doing requests again, haha.

And that's about it. I'll hang around some to answer questions, looks like there may have been some misunderstanding about some beloved sci fi IPs in setting, so I'll clear that up if it needs it. otherwise, I'll be in the IRC, like usual- though if you get me there and I don't answer, I may be at work. haha.

Anyway, gents, that's it for now, we'll be back next week at the usual time, circumstances permitting. till then, guys, cheers!

A coal stove kept Colonel Artyom Glukhovsky’s tent comfortably warm for the three people inside. Georgy and Sofia Lel sat next to each other near the stove as the Colonel poured them some tea. They graciously accepted the cups and began sipping the hot brew. Glukhovsky remained standing while he cradled his own cup. The worried lines creasing his face caused an uneasy feeling to well up in Georgy. He had seen the old man worried before, but this seemed different. Glukhovsky appeared to try to speak a few times, his mouth opening and closing.

“What’s the matter, Papa?” Sofia moved to her father. Concern welled from her voice.

Glukhovsky seemed to steady himself, steeling his resolve. "Three days from now, we are to make a two prong push into NATO held territory. Most of our consolidated forces will be in the North, towards Poznan. One of Stalin's 'toys,'" Disgust coated the word as he spoke, "will lead the attack there. Sofia, you and your witches along with Georgy and his tanks will spear head the push towards Wroclaw, in the South.”

The Colonel paused for just a moment, gouging the reactions of the couple’s faces. Georgy sat in silence, still trying to absorb the information, but Sofia starred at him perplexed, before opening her mouth to question him.

Glukhovsky did not give her a chance speak. “And before you ask, yes you will have support. I have been able to gather a few more witches for you, and Georgy’s platoon will be re-enforced, merged into yours. You will also be accompanied by most of the 20th Tanks Division and a number of motorized divisions as well.”

>>34428995“Papa, why are you telling us this now? There will be a briefing that includes the other commanders soon, no? I understand the risks, but how is this any different from any other time?” Sofia clasped her father’s hands in her own. She grinned as the big man bowed his head. With one hand she lifted his chin back up, and wiped away a tear with the other. “Papa, I’ve never seen you like this before. Tell us what’s wrong.”

“Yes Colonel!” Georgy jumped from his chair. “Acting as vanguard is no challenge. I can assure you that my men and I are up to it. We will make you and the Motherland proud!”

The older man nodded wearily. “Yes. Yes. I believe you will. However, I think there is something else you should know. There are some in the General Staff who doubt my loyalty. They think I am holding back, being too cautious. The bastards think we should be at the borders of Paris by now.” He sneered. “Consider this a test.”

He looked Georgy and Sofia over before continuing. “They wish to punish me, but eyes will be on you the entire time. You are not expected to break through to Wroclaw, but to take pressure off the divisions attacking in the North.”

Dodo bird witches were stalked and murdered for their feathers, upperclass women everywhere pretended they didn't know where the feathers came from, witch covens the world over nearly erupted into organized rebellion.....

>>34429010“Leave it to us, Comrade Colonel.” Georgy thumped his chest. “We will pave the way to Berlin, the Paris, then to the Atlantic coast!”

Glukhovsky unleashed his renowned boisterous laugh. “HAH! I suppose I have nothing to worry about, eh? You have grown into a good man, Georgy. You do me and you father both proud.”

“A long way from the scaredy cat he used to be.” Sofia started laughing herself, crushing Georgy in a bear hug.

“You two are right. I have no reason to worry. As I said before, you will have re-enforcements, but I shall see if I can drudge anything else up for you. Come, let’s get to main tent for the actual briefing.” The Colonel walked to the entrance of the tent, holding the flap open and beckoning the other two through.

Georgy and Sofia made their way silently to the large tent in the center of the base. Colonel Glukhovsky parted with them saying he would meet them there after he picked up a few things from his tent. He recognized the tent they approached as the one he had reported to when he had first arrived. A number of other officers and Senior NCO’s were still entering as they arrived. Dasha greeted them as they entered, escorting them to three seats she had saved.

>>34428946>Third: sorry for the long run tonight, fellas. Got kiiiind of carried away trying to hunt down suitable pictures for Katya's dress. I was unsuccessful. I'm gonna see if I can't scare up a drawfag to handle it, I hear decu's doing requests again, haha.How on Earth can you think this is a bad thing?

>>34429022“Everyone seems excited.” Dasha stretched lethargically, acting anything but excited. “Care to take a guess where we’ll be heading next?”

“You silly woman. It’s pretty obvious we are heading west!” Georgy from the other side of Sofia, then immediately dodged a smack from Dasha.

“Oh stop it you two. Behave yourself.” Sofia glared at the curious faces that turned to investigate the commotion. “You two act worse than children!”

A sudden blast of cold air interrupted their argument and silenced the rest of the tent. Colonel Glukhovsky stepped inside, his enormous size blocking out the light from the outside. Everyone snapped to attention as he walked to the podium at the front. He looked everyone over before calling them to stand down. The clatter of chairs was the only noise as he turned his back to the audience and unrolled a large map for all to see.

“Comrades, as you know, we are here, outside of Kalisz.” Glukhovsky pointed to a small point on the map indicating their location. He traced a line to another town circled in red. “This is our target, Wroclaw. To the North,” he traced another line up the map, “is Poznan. The main push will be here. A new prototype will be leading the attack to crush NATO resistance. Our duty is to divert as many NATO forces to our position as possible.”

>>34429036The Colonel stopped for a moment as whispers in the crowd grew louder. They ceased immediately as he turned around to face them. Glukhovsky rested his hands on his podium, leaning to face his men and witches.

“Comrades, this will not be an easy fight. It will be our most difficult challenge since the start of this war.”

He paused to look over the faces focused on him. Worry and fear showed on the younger ones under his command. Most of the rest stared back with solemn, understanding eyes. They knew he always asked for everything, and the Colonel knew they would give it. A number of them even looked excited, hungry to test themselves against the odds. Glukhovsky had never felt the same way about combat himself, but he respected it.

“This will be a huge gamble. But, if it pays off, we will be on Berlin’s doorstep; and soon after that to France. I have the utmost confidence in all of you. Many of us have already been bloodied in Afghanistan and those of you too young for that fight have more than proven yourselves thus far. You are ready; I know this, and I can say I am proud to fight for the Motherland alongside each one of you.”

>>34429049Several in the crowd unconsciously sat straighter as he spoke. All eyes were focused on the Colonel.

'Good,' he thought. Doubt was the last thing his officers needed right now. The next few hours went by quickly. Glukhovsky spent the time detailing smaller parts of the plan, and answering as many questions as he could. The noon sun shone down on them as they excited the tent afterward.

Sofia stretched as she, Georgy, and Dasha walked out into the sun. It was still chilly outside but the sun felt good on their skin.

“As usual, your father is good at stirring up fighting spirit.” Dasha covered her mouth and yawned. “Though it gets old after being around him for so long.”

“You’re just a dull person. I don’t think I’ve seen you seen you get excited about anything aside from causing others pain.” Georgy snarked from the other side of Sofia. “I don’t think that’s a healthy mindset. You should find yourself a hobby, I think.”

“Big words from a little man who hides behind his woman. Maybe I could make a hobby of smacking you around?”

The two bickering adults were too oblivious to watch out for the chops to their skulls.

“Really, you two! What did I tell you both earlier? You both truly are worse than children.”Sofia sighed and rubbed her temples. “Let’s go get some lunch. Father wants to meet with us again at the striker hangar.”

The other two agreed, though Georgy stuck his tongue out at Dasha while Sofia was not looking. Dasha made a halfhearted swipe at him but another look from Sofia ended the bickering before they started snickering. Sofia sighed before resigning herself with a small smile as they entered the mess tent.

Four pairs of eyes tracked the three entering the tent from behind a nearby parked truck. Four young witches crawled from behind the truck and ran towards their tent. Junior Lieutenant Margarite Tarshev held the flap open as the other three ran in.

“I told you something was happening!” Svetlana Tsimmerman hopped around the tent, bouncing from cot to cot. “They wouldn’t get all the officers together unless something important was about to happen!”

“Where do you think we’re going next?” Yana Llhyin asked, hugging her pillow on her bunk.“Hopefully back to the front. We have the Western forces on the run; we’ve been wasting too much time here.” Margarite huffed as she plopped down on her own cot.

Svet jumped from her cot, landing on Verniy Savinka’s.

“Whatcha think, Verniy?” Twisting around and falling backward, she let her head drop on Verniy’s lap. “I bet we head out any day now.”

“We’re have to see what the Captain says.” Verniy replied calmly.

“Harumph!” Svet pouted. “You’re no fun.”

She jumped up again and grabbed some candy from her bunk before settling down and chewing happily.

Margarite threw a few errant strands of hair over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “There’s no reason for us to speculate, all we have to do is prepare ourselves. We need to make Captain Sofia proud and-“

Margarite’s response was to charge Svet with her own pillow. “We’ll see who’s laughing after I shove this down your throat!”

The sounds of laughter and rough-housing carried through witches' section of the camp.

-

Stomachs full, Georgy, Sofia, and Dasha walked through the doors to the witches’ hangar.The first thing Sofia noticed was two more sets of tank strikers that had not been there earlier. The next was two unfamiliar witches who were in the middle of a conversation with the Colonel in the center of the building. She noted that they seemed to be around the same as her, which could be advantageous; another set of rookies would only make things that much more difficult the next few days.

The first woman was the shorter of the two. Her tan complexion and dark brown hair done up in a ponytail clashed with her light blue eyes. A small, round, cute face focused on Colonel Glukhovsky with a neutral expression. Her crossed arms belayed her impatience: it seemed they had been waiting for several minutes. The second witch, a tall blonde woman, yawned. A small scar blemished her left cheek, but it didn’t take anything away from her roguish good looks.

The Colonel was the first to notice them walk up. “Ah, here we are. Captain, allow me to introduce you to your new witch attachment. This is Senior Lieutenant Rozalina Emine.”

Rozalina gave the three a quick appraisal before standing to attention. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Comrade Captain, and Comrades Lieutenants.”

“And this,” the Colonel waved his hand to the other witch, “is Lieutenant Alyona Sizy.”

Sizy gave a small nod. “A pleasure, Captain.”

“These two witches will be your support, your eyes and ears for the assault. They specialize in scouting, an invaluable asset for our task.”

“It’s a pleasure, Lieutenants.” Sofia eyed the two new arrivals. Doubts swam through mind, but the two of them held themselves confidently, and her father seemed to have a good impression of them. That would have to do.

Funnily enough, Brigitte was supposed to be a crocodile. Kinda fell through when the only halfway acceptable images... weren't even halfway acceptable. I mean, there's some anthro croc women, but that's not a witch.

Thus, we got housecat Brigitte. Which kinda works, since it seems so unassuming. Kinda like the ragdoll cat, though it occurs to me that'd either be hypersexy or boring as hell.

>>34429224>"The machine-gunner's dreams of point blank fire into serried masses of Emus were soon dissipated. The Emu command had evidently ordered guerrilla tactics, and its unwieldy army soon split up into innumerable small units that made use of the military equipment uneconomic. A crestfallen field force therefore withdrew from the combat area after about a month."mfw

>>34429418The goose witch would be like a SS13 clown, only instead of humour her HONKs are a harbringer of PAIN.

>Giant Spider Witch: Likes to hug. The hugs are not entirely friendly.She likes to hug alright, but she always pins the other person's arms while doing so. also a big fan of bondage

>>34429364When I was sorting the cats by criteria it was a tie between Ragdolls and Mains Coons. Both make equal sense from a visual perspective, I just though ragdoll was funnier given the total dissonance between familiar and career/bloodlust.

>though it occurs to me that'd either be hypersexy or boring as hell.It would only be boring as hell if it happened a lot, but Brigitte strikes me as the least likely person to be found in a princess carry.

Well, now, don't misconstrue Brigitte. She's a professional- yeah, she's a witchkiller, and she did put rounds into the guys that saw her, but she didn't go out of her way to start killing people the way, say Raikov would have.

>>34429698Well maybe bloodlust isn't the right word. But maybe the cat isn't such a bad fit after all. Cats are friendly and docile most of the time but they can be capable of great violence if the need arises. Highly skilled but often lazy predators basically.

I used to see hummingbirds around my house, that was several years ago. And one time my patio door was open and this raccoon started to come inside. My cat went BERSERK, leaped onto the raccoon and chased it out of my yard and across the street while hissing and clawing at it. Never saw that raccoon again, which was great because anyone who thinks raccoons are cute never had corrosive parasite infested shit eating a hole in your roof shingles.

Hell I've even seen videos of house cats attacking crocodiles and having the crocs back down. TLDR I'm glad she's on our side.

>>34429919How would a cuttlefish familiar manifest? I'm guessing that she would have fins manifesting on her hips with a couple tentacles dangling as a "tail".

Funny side note. Back when me Kota and the guys thought up subwitches we decided that substrikers were primarily backpack units combining thrusters with a pressure helmet. This meant that instead of walking around in panties all the time subwitches would do the reverse and never wear shirts. Make of that what you will.

>>34430052>Back when me Kota and the guys thought up subwitchesMan, I certainly ain't taking any credit for it, but I remember participating in some of those discussions in the SWQ threads. Jesus that was a long time ago

> "The Sea Cucumber Witch and the Pearlfish Witch share a symbiotic relationship with each other. The Pearlfish Witch uses the Sea Cucumber Witch as a place of protection and safety. The Sea Cucumber Witch, however, gains a Pearlfish witch up her butt. Win Win."

>>34430123Oh wow, I actually still have the IRC log for that night. Just prior to this we were discussing how to prank the Lexington by replacing it's flag with panties. This was back when the SWQ trollercoaster was in full swing and you might be able to guess which thread happened that day. I doubt anyone cares but this is how it went down:

>[23:54] <Starshadow> MAGIC MERMAID WITCHES, IN BIKINIS, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST>[23:54] <Starshadow> Ursula, get on that>[23:55] <Dante41> SILLINESS>[23:55] <+Zanraptora> Hmm>[23:55] <+Zanraptora> Actually>[23:55] <+Zanraptora> I think it's totally hilarious if you could tell a sub witch from a strike witch because no sub witches wear shirts>[23:55] <Starshadow> NICE>[23:56] <&Kota> lol>[23:56] <Starshadow> makes sense, the diving equipment would cover the head and chest>[23:56] <&Kota> They wear half of their substriker unit at all time>[23:56] <Starshadow> so the skin contact would be all on the torso>[23:56] <&Kota> For quick deployment and survival>[23:56] <+Zanraptora> More specfically, why fucking bother with a shirt if it's always gonna be soaked>[23:56] <Starshadow> and the legs would only be used to steer....>[23:56] <Dante41> SLLLLIIIINNNEE- oh who'm I kidding

It got progressively sillier as the insonmia crept in. But really when you think about it subwitches make a lot of sense, and they are pretty damn scary too. We all saw what Brigitte could do just swimming up a river. Imagine being on a sub just knowing that a school of dolphin witches are chasing you with limpet mines in hand